Overview

The Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Jakarta is an independent, non-profit organisation focusing on policy-oriented studies on domestic and international issues. It was established in 1971.

Mission and PhilosophyOur mission is to contribute to improved policy making through policy-oriented research, dialogue, and public debate. This is based on the belief that long-term planning and vision for Indonesia and the region must be based on an in-depth understanding of economic, political, and social issues, including regional and international developments. CSIS research and studies are channeled in various forms as independent input to government, universities and research institutions, civil society organizations, media, and business.

Scope of ResearchCSIS undertakes research in economics, politics and social change, and international relations, with topics selected on the basis of their relevance to public policy. Inter-disciplinary studies are encouraged. In the area of foreign policy, CSIS research is complemented and strengthened by its relations with an extensive network of research, academic, and other organizations worldwide.Regional Partnerships In the wider Asia-Pacific region, CSIS is actively involved with regional and international networks of Track-Two institutions and think-tanks that interact with intergovernmental activities.

This includes hosting the Indonesian National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation (INCPEC) for the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC), the Indonesian Member Committee for the Council for Security Cooperation in Asia Pacific (CSCAP), and the Secretariat for the ASEAN ISIS. CSIS is also a founding institute of the Council for Asia Europe Cooperation (CAEC).Through its active participation in Track-Two activities, CSIS takes part in efforts to promote regional cooperation (ASEAN, Asia Pacific) and intra-regional cooperation (ASEM).

Public EducationCSIS has a longstanding commitment to public education through a variety of avenues, including an intensive seminar program, lectures and conferences, and a bookstore. The CSIS library is regarded as one of the best in Indonesia, and an outstanding resource for students, government and diplomatic personnel, the business community, and members of the public.

PublicationsCSIS has an active publication program covering a wide range of subjects in English and Bahasa Indonesia.These include:

Books and monographs covering research undertaken by CSIS;

The Indonesian Quarterly, an English-language journal started in 1974;

Analisis CSIS, a quarterly journal in Bahasa Indonesia, published since 1971;

A clipping service, functional since 1971, prepares and maintains clippings on a range of themes from national and regional newspapers.

CSIS cooperates with the Indonesia Project of the Australian National University in printing and distributing The Bulletin of Indonesian Economic Studies (BIES).

Cultural ActivitiesApart from studies and seminars, CSIS presents cultural performances, including traditional, classical and modern music, wayang performance, documentary film screenings, and exhibitions of paintings and sculpture.

FundingCSIS is funded in part through an establishment endowment fund. It also seeks support for its research programs and regional network activities from foundations, multilateral organisations, and donor institutions. It welcomes donations from groups and individuals.

Auditorium

CSIS is proud to own its own conference auditorium in its current premises, which is large enough to host an audience of 250 people. The auditorium is of modern and sophisticated design, with facilities including built-in sound system, audio and video recording, multiple projectors and large projector screens, and stage lighting. Not only for hosting conferences, seminars and academic events, CSIS Auditorium is also often used for musical performances and art exhibitions.

In addition to the auditorium, CSIS also has a pre-function hall, and 6 meeting rooms of different sizes to host different types of occasions.

The Library

Since the beginning, the Library have been an integral and crucial part of CSIS, not only as a source of knowledge resources, but also part of our public education commitment. The Library is open for public and have been one of the most important references and information sources.

The Library established the Japan Section with the support of the Japan World Exposition Commemorative Fund, which first collections were from the private collections of Jusuf Pang Laykim. In 1995, the Library inaugurated the Classical Section that specializes in the collection and presentation of traditional written artifacts. These precious documents illustrated the value system of the past as an important part of the ancestral heritage from all over Indonesia.

Users of the Library came from multifarious part of the society and government. The ones that have benefitted the most include students and scholars from different part of Indonesia and the world. Others include government officials and civil servants, military personnel, law practitioners and journalists. The collection focuses on economics, political and social, as well as international relations and strategic military affairs, with a total of 40.699 books and nearly 400 scholarly journals from inside and outside Indonesia. The Library also produces ASEAN bibliography, CSIS researchers’ writings portfolio and index of government regulations.

Book Store

CSIS maintains a small book store, KubuBuku, in its premises, which mainly stocks books and journals from CSIS publications, but also other variety of textbooks related to CSIS core research focus. The book store is open for public, and is intended to enable easy access for the general public to CSIS publications.

Newspaper Clipping

A clipping service, functional since 1971, prepares and maintains clippings on a range of themes fromnational and regional newspapers. Although the use of newspaper clipping has significantly decreased inthe internet era, CSIS decides to maintain this service, although on a more limited range of topicscompared to before. At present, there are three themes covered by our clipping service: economy,industry, and banking; Indonesian politics; and education in Indonesia.